Providers from 13th ESC also worked alongside some available trainers from U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command and U.S. Army Forces Command for the duration of the training.
For the exercise, 4th Sust. Bde. Soldiers replicated Combined Joint Task Force – Caspian Sea sustainment operations by using a realistic battle rhythm, Army Battle Command Systems, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, and best business practices. The exercise was designed to assist with preparation of the sustainment brigade staff’s functionality as they prepare for their next mission.

The 4th Sust. Bde. and 13th ESC soldiers worked with the additional outside resources through this training exercise in order to further develop future training opportunities and to help establish a standard for how the Army will train other sustainment brigades in the future.

In the past, higher commands would send a more formidable group of trainers for an exercise of this level, said Col. Steven A. Cook, 13th ESC G3, adding that to help conserve available funds, 13th ESC stepped up to serve oversight and prepare the Wrangler Brigade for future missions while also assisting the Army to develop sustainment brigade level training for other units.

“What I want you to look at, from your point as an ESC staff or brigade staff, ‘does this stuff really replicate the systems that I would be using when I’m in these situations,’” said Brig. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters, commanding general of the 13th ESC.

“The Sustainment Brigades were built during war time; there hasn’t been an opportunity to test drive the model before putting it into action,” he continued, adding that in order to grow, it’s important to learn from past experiences and improve. “We’re going to look at the training available and annotate where it can be improved for ensuing training opportunities with other sustainment brigades.”

Col. Mark Simerly, commander of the 4th Sust. Bde., looked at this exercise as not only an opportunity to train his staff in order to prepare for future missions, but also an opportunity for all involved on the many levels to learn.

“We have one targeted training objective during this training exercise, and that is to train and prepare the brigade – but everyone involved will be able to take something out of this training opportunity,” said Simerly.